JODY FORTSON NEWS

Availability trending downward Head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Fortson (elbow) is "probably not" going to be activated for Saturday's AFC divisional-round matchup against the Jaguars, Nate Taylor of The...

Impact Despite being designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, it currently sounds like Fortson is on track to miss a fourth consecutive matchup due to a subluxated elbow. Should that eventually be the case, Noah Gray and Blake Bell are both slated to receive rotational tight end snaps behind All-Pro selection Travis Kelce this weekend.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy Chiefs back to work, eye Jags in divisional round

The Kansas City Chiefs returned from their week off for having the No. 1 seed in the AFC and everyone was on the practice field but wide receiver Mecole Hardman on Tuesday

JANUARY 17, 2023

Designated to return from IR Fortson (elbow) was designated to return from injured reserve and will practice Tuesday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Fortson missed the final three regular-season games due to a subluxated elbow, but he'll return to practice this week and have a shot to play in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against Jacksonville. Across 13 appearances, the backup tight end caught nine of 13 targets for 108 yards and two scores, but he played more on special teams (181 snaps) than he did on offense (175).

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured reserve The Chiefs placed Fortson (elbow) on injured reserve Friday.

Impact Fortson was already ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Seahawks, but the backup tight end will now miss at least four games, including the final three regular-season contests, due to a subluxed elbow. Blake Bell, who was activated off injured reserve Friday, figures to take over as the No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.

DECEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed out Week 16 Fortson (elbow) will not play in Saturday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Fortson did not participate during Week 16 prep while dealing with a subluxed elbow, which could keep him sidelined for multiple games. While there's still no timeline for the 27-year-old's return, his next opportunity to play will come versus Denver on Sunday, Jan. 1. With Fortson sidelined, Kansas City could be left short handed behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray if veteran tight end Blake Bell (hip) is not activated from IR before Saturday.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Saturday Fortson is unlikely to play Saturday against the Seahawks due to an elbow injury and could be sidelined for multiple weeks, Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride reports.

Impact Head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that Fortson didn't practice Tuesday because his elbow subluxated. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but it sounds likely Fortson could miss at least one game. However, on a positive note, the Chiefs designated Blake Bell (hip) to return from IR Tuesday, so he could help fill some of the backup tight end duties if Fortson is out for an extended period.

DECEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Just 10 snaps in Week 14 Fortson went without a target while playing 10 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Broncos.

Impact After drawing a season-high three targets in the Chiefs' Week 12 win over the Rams, Fortson has largely fallen out of the game plan over the subsequent two weeks. He's been targeted just once while playing 20 snaps on offense the past two games, with Fortson picking up more reps on special teams during that stretch. Fortson looks to be the clear No. 3 option at tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Draws season-high three targets Fortson was on the field for 17 of the Chiefs' 76 snaps on offense and recorded two receptions for 26 yards on three targets in Sunday's 26-10 win over the Rams.

Impact Seven-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce remains the Chiefs' top tight end and the top fantasy producer at the position in the NFL, but backups Noah Gray and Fortson haven't been complete non-entities in the passing game. Even though Gray and Fortson are utilized mostly as blockers when on the field, they've combined to produce 26 receptions, 277 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns through Kansas City's first 11 games. Neither Gray nor Fortson is likely to see his role expand much from its current level, however, so long as Kelce remains available.

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Can't-Miss Play: Mahomes launches a 40-yard pass to Jody Fortson to get Chiefs in red zone Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes launches a 40-yard pass to Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson to get the Chiefs in the red zone.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • NFL.COM

BIG PLAY: Patrick Mahomes Launches a 40-yarder to Jody Fortson to get in Red Zone Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes launches a 40-yard pass to Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson to get the Chiefs in the red zone.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • CHIEFS.COM

Mahomes throws 4 TD passes as Chiefs beat Jaguars 27-17

Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards and four touchdowns, Kadarius Toney showed glimpses of stardom in his second game for the Chiefs and Kansas City rolled to a 27-17 victory over...

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Gets in full practice Fortson (quadriceps) participated fully at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus Jacksonville.

Impact Fortson was forced to miss Monday night's win versus Tennessee with a quad injury, but it appears he should be ready to roll again for Week 10. As long as Travis Kelce is also healthy though, Fortson probably won't see enough work to be a viable fantasy option in most formats.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Week 9 Fortson (quadriceps/illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Titans, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Fortson landed on the injury report Wednesday as a non-participant due to a quadriceps injury, but he's now being listed with an illness as well. The severity of the issues remain unclear, but the reserve tight end will miss at least one game. If Kansas City doesn't elevate a tight end for Week 9, Noah Gray will be the only backup available behind Travis Kelce.

NOVEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs to lean on McDuffie after trading Fenton to Falcons

The Kansas City Chiefs expect cornerback Trent McDuffie to return Sunday night against Tennessee

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Won't practice Wednesday Fortson won't practice Wednesday due to a quadricep contusion, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Impact The Chiefs are coming off a bye, so it's a little concerning to see Fortson appear on the injury report Wednesday. The severity of the quadricep contusion remains unclear, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his availability for Sunday's matchup against Tennessee.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs trios of TE Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jody Fortson have kept offense potent In Sunday’s win, Kelce, Gray and Fortson became the first trio of tight ends in the NFL this season to score a touchdown in the same game.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Records second touchdown Fortson turned his lone target into a 10-yard touchdown reception in Sunday's 41-31 win over the Buccaneers.

Impact All three of Kansas City's tight ends finished with touchdowns on the night, as top option Travis Kelce scored on a 16-yard connection with Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter, while Noah Gray took a direct snap for a one-yard score in the second quarter. Fortson then provided the Chiefs' final touchdown of the night in the third quarter, marking the second time he's found the end zone this season. He's now scored on both of his receptions this season, but he's drawn just three targets in total through four games.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mahomes throws for 3 TDs, Chiefs overwhelm Buccaneers 41-31

Patrick Mahomes threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 41-31 victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OCTOBER 3, 2022

TOUCHDOWN: Patrick Mahomes Lasers 10-Yard TD Pass to Slanting Jody Fortson Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes lasers 10-yard TD pass to slanting tight end Jody Fortson.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • CHIEFS.COM

Finds paydirt in Week 1 Fortson hauled in his lone target for a one-yard touchdown reception in the Chiefs' 44-21 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Impact Starting tight end Travis Kelce had a huge outing in Week 1 (eight receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown on nine targets), but the Chiefs were still able to find playing time for depth options in Noah Gray (36 snaps, one catch for 10 yards on two targets) and Fortson (22 snaps). Gray and Fortson are still likely to operate mostly as blockers when they're on the field, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes won't hesitate to occasionally look for the big-bodied Fortson (6-foot-4, 226 pounds) near the goal line. Fortson has only six career receptions to his name, but he's scored three touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs honor Dawson, beat Packers 17-10 in preseason finale

The Chiefs and Packers rested most of their starters in their preseason finale Thursday night, which Kansas City won 17-10 behind two touchdown passes from Shane Buechele

AUGUST 26, 2022

After 'extremely fast' Achilles rehab, Jody Fortson gives Patrick Mahomes another weapon In his first game back from his injury, Fortson reestablished his value within the Chiefs’ revamped offense by scoring two touchdowns.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM